I would love to know what she was thinking about at that exact moment…  Little babies are just the most beautiful things in the world!!!  I have been a Johannesburg baby photographer for more than three years and still find it absolutely exciting when I know my next client is one of these little angels. 

When taking photos of babies I would recommend that you fit your photoshoot into their routine.  I baby who is tired will NOT smile at you even if you are standing on your head, so keep this in mind.  Keep some “noisemaking” toys in your studio to grab their attention when they are tired of everyone’s faces and you might just get a few more award-winning smiles.

One more thing I have learnt with photographing babies is a few English nursery rhymes (I am Afrikaans) as they all love music and if you are able to sing a familiar song to them they will sometimes participate by clapping their hands while smiling and “dancing”…

Riani 

Johannesburg baby photographer

I have met so many people who want to find the “perfect wedding photographer” and the fact of the matter is that there is no one “perfect wedding photographer” But here are a few important few guidelines to help you choose the perfect wedding photographer for you:

1 – Go onto the internet and search for wedding photographers, have a look at their photo galleries (not just on wedding but a few)  If you like what you see add them onto your short list.  You can do the same thing by asking your friends and relatives who did their wedding photos and then taking a look at their portfolios.

2 – Once you have compiled a short list get into contact with these photographers and ask them if they are still available on the date and for them to send through a quote.  This will also help you to narrow the list down even more with photographers who are in your price range.

3 – Set-up an appointment for you and your hubby to be to go and meet your top 3 photographers.
Use this meeting to get to know them better.  Do they make you feel comfortable and at ease?  ( This is very important especially on your wedding day)  Ask to see more of their portfolios, and take special care in looking at the weather

conditions, are the photos which were taken in sunny weather much better than the ones taken in rainy weather?  This will give you an idea of their skills and abilities.  A good photographer should be able to handle most weather conditions equally well.  Are they helpful and prepared for the meeting ( this will give you an idea of the way they normally work) and take your time to find you a few things like :

-          do you get a high-res cd with your photos (printable)?

-          What do they charge per hour extra for overtime?

-          Do they bring back-up equipment to your wedding just in case?

-          Are they bringing an assistant along?

-          How long does it take before you can get your wedding photos back?

4 – Make sure that you book your perfect wedding photographer 6 months before the actual wedding day.  I can’t really explain why, but especially in summer there are certain dates which just have a lot of enquiries and couples wanting to book it.

PS – If your photographer mentions that it might be a good idea to have your wedding ceremony held 1 or 2 hours earlier, it is because they are worried that there will not be enough natural light left to ensure that you get breathtaking wedding photos (not because they are bossy J  )

Riani

Wedding Photographer Gauteng

Natural baby photos

In today’s blog I thought I’d share some tips on taking great wedding photos.  So here are 9 great tips on taking wedding photos. My first  tip on taking better wedding photos – is to make sure that your memory cards have been cleared before hand, and that you have more than enough batteries which are all fully charged. (PS – and that you have a clear understanding of how your equipment works)

Second great tip on taking stunning wedding photos – Always make sure that you focus  on the bride’s face no matter what happens… (and take your exposure readings from her face)

The third tip on taking good wedding photos – be ready to capture all those moments in between your formal posing and moving around.  You are allowed to enjoy the day and talk to people but be ready to capture anything.|

Fourth tip on taking wedding photos – Make sure that you take a lot of photos on the actual day and review them later(you can still check if everyone’s eyes are open) but there just isn’t  time to study each and every photograph.

Fifth tip on being a good wedding photographer – Be helpful and considerate at all times (you have been behind the scenes at more wedding than the bride and you normally know what works)  This will help to relax the bride and give you the opportunity to capture better photos.

Sixth tip to taking better wedding photographs – Try shooting from different angles, climb onto a chair to capture the wedding guests congratulating the happy couple, and lie on your tummy when taking a shot of the rings with the couple in the background… It is things like these that will set your style apart from other photographers.

My Seventh tip on taking beautiful wedding photographs – is to keep a look out for opportunities to create “arty” photos like this silhouette shot.  Looks like something straight from a Disney fairytale.

The eighth tip to taking better wedding photos – Take charge (and not in a negative way), remember that you have been hired to perform a service and that you need to produce stunning images with the help of natural light (which fades quickly after the sun has set)

Finally the last tip to taking better wedding photos – Learn to connect with your clients in such a way that they are comfortable enough to trust you, this will give you the creative freedom, you need to create amazing wedding photos.

Riani

“The Thaba Ya Batswana Eco Lodge is a rare and valuable jewel surrounded by the southern Johannesburg metropolis, which captures the spirit of the African renaissance. It is situated in the Klipriversberg Nature Reserve area and has an abundance of indigenous trees, plants, birds and wildlife. The Tswana name meaning “Mountain of the Tswana People” is an apt description due to the discovery of Tswana settlement ruins that date back between 300 and 600 years. The historic remnants of the Tswana people are scattered throughout

the eco lodge where visitors are able to observe it from many of the paths and trails.” – Taken from the Thaba Ya Batswana website.

Johannesburg and its surrounds are known for its beautiful wedding venues.  We have got everything from Italian villages at Avianto right through to the African experience at Thaba Ya Batswana.  Professional wedding photographers have the pleasure of seeing and experiencing all these beaufitul wedding venues while they are working.

A few reasons why I love the wedding venue Thaba Ya Batswana:  Their venue is well looked after and have absolutely breathtaking sunsets.  Friendly service at all times, doesn’t matter of you are there for a small conference or a R50 000 wedding the staff are always helpful.  The chapel is set in between the most beautiful trees and have natural light falling through the big windows.  And the food (OMW the food) is always mouth watering…  and this is just to name a few.

I have done so many photoshoots for Sam & Arthur that they almost feel like family by now… J  They chose Thaba Ya Batswana as their perfect wedding venue (and also to christen baby Chaise)  Ok, ok they only told everyone they are christening Chaise but not that they are also getting married at the same time (or what did Sam call it, formalities lol)  The dress

was made from the most elegant flowy material and Sam looked nothing short of a Greek Goddess.  It had been chilly all week before the wedding but luckily Sam knew where to order lovely weather which made it perfect conditions to shoot wedding photos in.  Sam & Arth, it really was a pleasure and a privilege to take your stunning wedding photos and I wish you guys many more happy years together!

Riani

As Professional Wedding Photographer in Johannesburg we have had the pleasure of photographing gorgeous brides and elegant weddings at wedding venues like Avianto and

Toadbury Hall.  Each and every wedding venue offers their own personal style and look.  The wedding venue Avainto (which is situated in Muldersdrift)  is one of my favourite wedding venues because you can totally immerse yourself in the venue.  It’s got the feel of an Italian village without being corny.  Wedding photographers like us just love shooting at this venue

as there is an abundance of first class scenery which can make your wedding photos even more beautiful than you ever imagined… (and their food is simply fantastic   )

Riani

The universe works in its own special way which we will never fully understand….  I love food photography and so we added some delicious food photos to our portfolio last year.  We then got a call from Cubbs (they make dip for chips) and they asked us to photograph some of their products which will then go onto their new packaging (As soon as you put your mind to something and add a little

effort you will soon see the universe shifting that way for you).  Make sure you are ready so that opportunities that come your way can be 100% utilised.  If you have ever been present at any kind of food photography shoot you will know that it takes a lot of hard work and patience to get the shot just right…  In general I am not a really patient person, but when it comes to photography I immerse myself in it.  The only thing that matters is to get the right shot.  It’s like I zone out and go onto my own little planet where the only thing which exists is the photography and that is exactly why we are top food photographers.

Riani